As a personal rule I try to keep this blog strictly business and professional… but now and then I think there might be a topic or two I’m overlooking that is somewhat relevant to my professional career; yet isn’t officially business. I visit many blogs that are muddied up with too much personal content that the professional “persona” gets lost. Understandably it’s hard to keep personal and professional content from mixing when you’re the sole administrator and sole author of a blog… so I get it; and am not criticizing, just trying to not turn my blog into my facebook page. With that said… here is something that is personal to me but is a justifiable topic based on my professional career in photography. A few evenings ago I was eating dinner with my family and saw out our kitchen window a barred owl sitting on a fence post in our backyard. This owl was about a foot tall, motionless below its swiveling neck and completely engrossed with our pond below its perch. Being a city boy; this is the second owl I can say I’ve seen in Olympia or anywhere else other than a photograph or TV… so I felt like I was having a “National Geographic moment.” I grabbed my camera and went to take as stealthy a shot as possible and felt the adrenaline rush from wanting to get that “perfect shot.” I had my portrait lens already mounted which meant I needed to swap out with my telephoto lens, all while hoping the owl didn’t fly away. Once I mounted my telephoto I started firing away… problem was, nature photographers don’t photograph wildlife from inside the house, through a glass window, standing in their kitchen [or at least I wouldn't think that's standard]. I needed to do the most logical thing… step outside and get a great shot; or end up scaring the owl away. The above image is of the owl finding out I was stalking it with my camera as it starred back at me… directly into my lens. It was the last shot I got. Before I could even get a leg outside it flew away into the night. So there you have it… a photographic record of my “National Geographic moment.” If you have any professional photography needs that extend beyond your kitchen window, please contact me, at Erik Paul Artistic Communication… and let’s get started today!
If you’re a beer drinker and love beer; even if you only like beer, then August 28th & 29th will be a day worth finding a designated driver for! Little Creek Casino Resort is hosting their first annual Brewfest and with the line-up in-store, you’re bound to have a buzz and a blast!14 Pacific Northwest brewers, 28 beers and Chance McKinney live in concert… Chance McKinney and his band CrossWire are a good enough reason to head to the Brewfest even if you are not a beer drinker! Chance McKinney was CMT’s “Music City Madness” Award Winner and recently dubbed CMT’s #1 “unsigned” Country Artist in the Nation. Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire have opened for huge names such as Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Clint Black and Kenny Chesney; just to name a few. The Brewfest starts at noon and the concert starts at 8pm on Saturday [only]. You certainly won’t leave thirsty and you’ll take home a souvenir, keepsake pint-glass, which you’ll have no problem draining dry by the time you leave. I have to admit; I worked up a pretty good thirst thinking about the great varieties of beer that will be at the Brewfest while I designed the above logo for Little Creek. I felt this direction kept the logo traditionally styled with the ribbon, hops, barley and a classic colored ale… I figured a stout in the logo might diverge too much from the universal thought of “beer color,” but if you see me at the Fest with a brew in my hand; it’s going to be a stout or a porter. If you have an upcoming event, or business, that needs a commemorative logo to withstand the beers, cheers and years to come, please contact me, Erik Eikenberry at Erik Paul Artistic Communication… and let’s get started today!
I’m a firm believer that graphic design and fine art should be considered close relatives. Aside from the obvious that one is created for business venture while the other is born of personal emotions; they do share many common techniques and visual styles. I kept this ideal in mind when I was redesigning my existing website and I am proud to say after many days and nights of programming, my new website is finally online! My previous website design was intended to be simple, clean and lean on the minimal side of design whereas with my new website I wanted to take it in the direction that is closer to fine art. In regards to my web designing style; I like to think of it as non-traditional. Meaning there are so many websites nowadays that seem to look “the same,” as if the template take-over has truly taken over. It’s hard to find websites that have an organic feel that sets them apart from one another; which is exactly what I tried to do with my new website… set it apart. It is structured and consistent from page to page, yet is fluid and not so “mathematical.” If you have an existing website you’d like to see redesigned to be distinct and unique, yet classy and easily navigated…or want a brand new website designed from the ground up; let’s set up a meeting in the Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey area and discuss all the complimenting elements and styles that reflect your business with the functionality that is convenient and easy for your client-base. Please contact me, Erik Eikenberry at Erik Paul Artistic Communication… and let’s get started today!
Recently Capital Medical Center’s Marketing Director, Renee Crotty, called me up and said it’s time to head on over for another round of professional portraits for new staff members and staff updates. So without delay, I loaded up my mobile portrait studio and made haste to Capital Medical Center’s conference room and began setting up a fully equipped photography headquarters. After a short while the Erik Paul Mobile Portrait Studio was ready to start clicking away at these professional’s pearly whites. One of the nice things I was told by a staff member was how she enjoyed seeing her portraits appear on my laptop [positioned right next to my camera] so she could not only see what I was seeing; she could pick her favorite image before she left the room. Another staff member told me how convenient it was for her to run down to the conference room between appointments for a portrait instead of the need to go to a studio across town… time is just too precious and I am glad I can oblige. One thing I have noticed over the years is how amazed people are by the quickness of a shoot. Some people have commented how fast it was as I think the misnomer is a portrait can take hours. Once the person sits down in front of the camera, I usually can guarantee them that they’ll be on their way in five to ten minutes; back to work, lunch, home… wherever. I know people have more important places to be and better things to do rather than spend too much time having a portrait taken. As well, all these people can expect to have their digital file and prints in their hands within days after the shoot… but the best thing they can be certain of is they will get a professional quality portrait they’ll be proud of. I can be pretty much anywhere in the Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey area within a few hours for those last minute rush occasions and can arrive early in the morning or drop by late… whatever is convenient for you and your staff. If you need a sophisticated portrait for a new staff member or simply want an updated portrait, please contact me, Erik Eikenberry at Erik Paul Artistic Communication… and let’s get started today!
Capital Medical Center June 2010 Staff Portraits – Photography by Erik Eikenberry
Not everyone will get to step into the Cash Cube and wiggle, wriggle and flail about, but those that do will be a little bit richer once they step out. Yes, Little Creek Casino Resort has added yet another exciting, interactive game that is sure to draw just as big of an audience as it will gamers trying to become participants. Who wouldn’t want a chance to make this mad dash for cash inside a glass cube no bigger than a phone booth (with money whirling around every square inch)? I saw the above miscellaneous video on YouTube and thought it was a great display of what this game is about and how it works. Talking about work, I can’t think of too many other games where contestants literally have to “work” for their money. If you’re lucky enough to step into the Cash Cube, make sure you stretch first and don’t wear silky clothes. When Little Creek asked me to work on a logo for this fun-filled promotion, I just couldn’t get the below design out of my head. I guess it was an obvious visual solution, but none the less, I think it was a solid solution for a solid game… a game that will get positive feedback from patrons for years after the promotion has been retired. If you’re in need of visual solutions for your graphic design or want a solid logo that’ll get positive feedback for your business, please contact me, Erik Eikenberry at Erik Paul Artistic Communication… and let’s get started today!
For those of you who are familiar with Venture Bank Direct, you most likely know Earny, their Wise-Choice owl… the little feller that walked across the website header and kept the site viewer slightly entertained (and possibly gave them a wee bit warmer feeling inside than before they logged in). Well, I’m sad to say that Earny ruffled his last feather yesterday as Venture Bank and Venture Bank Direct were bought out by First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company of Raleigh, NC. This buy-out, or rather take-over, for Venture Bank clients won’t be noticeable other than a name change… all banking locations remain the same for now. As far as Venture Bank employees, I pray their jobs were spared; but unfortunately, it is almost unavoidable that some must be terminated. I hope they were given more decency than Earny the Owl was given. Okay, you’re probably asking yourself, why does this guy seem to care more about a mascot than all the former employees who have families to feed and shelter. In all honesty and fairness, my heart goes out to those employees that were hit badly by this buy-out, I would never wish unemployment on anyone… but, my heart was literally into Earny. I illustrated him for Venture Bank Direct, feather by feather, head to toe… I animated his movement… I’m his creator which makes me his father in a sense and no parent wants to see their child die. Anyway, I want to give my best regards to Venture Bank, all it’s former employees and anyone else this financial take over hit in the wallet… but let it be known, Earny still lives on in my heart. If you’d like to discuss ways to create a mascot for your business, or give life to an existing mascot, please contact me… and let’s get started today!
For those of you who are familiar with Venture Bank Direct, you most likely know Earny, their Wise-Choice owl… the little feller that walked across the website header and kept the site viewer slightly entertained (and possibly gave them a wee bit warmer feeling inside than before they logged in). Well, I’m sad to say that Earny ruffled his last feather yesterday as Venture Bank and Venture Bank Direct were bought out by First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company of Raleigh, NC. This buy-out, or rather take-over, for Venture Bank clients won’t be noticeable other than a name change… all banking locations remain the same for now. As far as Venture Bank employees, I pray their jobs were spared; but unfortunately, it is almost unavoidable that some must be terminated. I hope they were given more decency than Earny the Owl was given. Okay, you’re probably asking yourself, why does this guy seem to care more about a mascot than all the former employees who have families to feed and shelter. In all honesty and fairness, my heart goes out to those employees that were hit badly by this buy-out, 
I would never wish unemployment on anyone… but, my heart was literally into Earny. I illustrated him for Venture Bank Direct, feather by feather, head to toe… I animated his movement… I’m his creator which makes me his father in a sense and no parent wants to see their child die. Anyway, I want to give my best regards to Venture Bank, all it’s former employees and anyone else this financial take over hit in the wallet… but let it be known, Earny still lives on in my heart. If you’d like to discuss ways to create a mascot for your business, or give life to an existing mascot, please